“It’s too loose. We need it in writing. Something that we can hold ourselves to. Because I’m not trying to be ungrateful or rude, but buying my aunt a kayak shouldn’t have happened.”
“Because?”
“Because you’re not here to buy your way into us liking you.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?” he asks.
“It is.”
He stares at me for a few seconds and then capitulates. “You’re right, that’s what I was trying to do.”
Well…got to give him credit for honesty.
“However, that won’t work, and it only makes you mad. Am I right?” he asks.
“We don’t need your money.”
Wincing slightly, he says, “Not to get too literal here, but you kind of did…you know, for your store. Which, by the way, will I get a tour?”
Oof, he’s right about that. Damn it.
“Please, I haven’t even gotten the nerve to enter the store.” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them.Oh crap.
“Why is that?”
I wave him off dismissively. “That’s neither here nor there. We’re not here to talk about that. We’re here to talk about us.”
I can see him wanting to question me further. It’s right there, on the tip of his tongue, but he’s a smart man and he backs off.
“Okay, then, let’s talk about us.”
The way he says “us,” with an inflection—not sure I care for it, but I’ll drop it for now.
“Like I said, we need to set some ground rules so that we can live harmoniously together.”
“Could not agree more. It’s going to be a long summer if we can’t get along.”
“Exactly.”
He smirks. “Look at us agreeing on things. It’s like we’re practically friends already.”
“Please refrain from making outlandish comments.” That makes him chuckle.
“My apologies. Please go on.”
“Thank you.” I clear my throat. “Okay, rule number one, you’re not allowed to try to buy our affection.”
“Keeping the wallet in the pocket. Got it.”
“Rule number two, you’re allotted one visitation a day. I’ve seen you far too much since you got here. Everywhere I turn, you’re there.”
“One visitation?” He shakes his head. “Impossible. That would mean that I’d only see you when we take our walks.”
“Exactly.”
“Not feasible. We live next to each other. We’re bound to run into each other, and I’m sorry, I can’t be cold and just ignore you. How about ten visitations a day?”
“Ten?” I feel my eyes nearly fall out of their sockets. “No way. That’s way too much.”
